Getting to know the new Vols: Daniel West

Daniel West didn't arrive with the multiple-star recruiting rankings like many of the other incoming Tennessee freshmen because the summer of his junior season he chose to focus on academics.

That plan worked just fine for UT, because West has indeed proven to be a fast study on the basketball court.

West has been battling incoming junior college All-American Bobby Maze for the starting point guard duties since his June arrival. The two are most always matched up in the team's open gym workouts, and neither has been willing to give an inch.

Most assume Maze will get the starting job because of his experience and physical maturity, but West isn't going away easy, and at the very least has earned the respect of his teammates.

Don't be surprised if this intense young man continues to challenge Maze for minutes throughout the year and plays a key role in deciding a few games this season.

West didn't mind doing this interview with the News Sentinel, but he's still learning to get comfortable talking about himself, exhibiting both modesty and shyness.

Question: Why the No. 2?

Answer: I was originally wanting the No. 12, the number I wore in high school, but Ro (Ramar Smith) was still going to be here when I committed so I switched to the No. 2 because of JaJuan Smith. The first day I got here I was with JaJuan, and he was my favorite player to watch last season.

Q: What type of music do you listen to?

A: Rap. Webbie, Jay-Z, Boosie, Jeezy ... some of that music describes how it was in my hometown, with all that violence. But I made it out of there.

Q: What type of city is Saginaw?

A: It isn't looking to pretty, but I still loveit. It could be better if the people who made it out of there came back and gave back to the community. There's a lot of people who made it, not just in the NBA and NFL, but also agents. I plan to go back and help some day.

Q: Who was your biggest inspiration?

A: A lot of the people I knew on the streets. They all helped me in different ways, and I still talk to them to this day. They encouraged me to keep playing basketball, and they told me don't be a thousandaire, try to be a millionaire. Ramar and JaJuan both told me to come here and just keep going hard.

Q: Did you play any other sports? Any other favorites?

A: I also played football and soccer, but I always focused on basketball. Football was my other favorite, but I had to give that up before 11th grade. I played quarterback, wide receiver, kick returner, punt returner, kicker and punter. My favorite spot was receiver; it was easy to catch and run with the ball. They tried to keep me playing.

Q: What has been your biggest challenge at UT?

A: Probably not getting to go home on the weekends. A lot of other guys live two to four hours away, but me and Big Baby (Brian Williams) and E-Man (Emmanuel Negedu) can't go home, so we just stay here and play basketball. I know the other guys are playing in some gym even when they go home.

Q: What has been the most positive change you have made at UT?

A: My conditioning in the weight room. I can feel myself getting stronger. Do I like the weights? Well, I need them, so yeah. I feel myself get intense when I'm in there.

Q: Who are your favorite NBA players?

A: Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul and Sebastian Telfair. I like Chris Paul's patience, I like the way Telfair breaks his man down (off the dribble) and Wade shoots off the glass, and it looks so smooth.

Q: What is your major?

A: Communications. I'd like to be a broadcaster some day, so I could still be around the game when I'm done playing.